Gerane Therese Dougherty

Gerane Therese Dougherty (1929-2019) left this world to begin her final journey to God on Friday, May 10, 2019.  The daughter of Richard W. and Catherine Irene (Flynn) Dougherty, Gerane was born in Oak Park, IL, she attended Resurrection grade school and Siena High School.  After graduating from College of Saint Teresa, Gerane went on to earn an MA from Saint Mary’s University and then to the Laval University of Quebec P.Q. for her MA and Ph.D. in French Language and Literature.   She traveled Europe while working on her doctorate, letting her research lead her to her next destinations.  She spent most of her time searching both France and Italy. 

After her studies in Quebec and Paris, she began her teaching career at the College of Saint Teresa in Winona, MN.  At the College of Saint Teresa, Gerane served as department chair and eventually as Vice President of Academic Affairs.  In 1977 Gerane took a position as Program Associate at Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  A final move was to become Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, where she served for 17 years. 

After her retirement, Gerane moved to Hayward, WI, where she was a member and strong supporter of St. Joseph Parish.  She was also an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Menominee for several years.  Gerane counted as her friends her university colleagues at the campuses where she served, especially Gretchen Berg, Emmanuel Collins, Johnita Klingler, Francis Ann Hayes, Sarah Keenan, Shirley Schmitz, Lalonde Ryan, Briana McCarthy, Franchon Pirkl, Carol Dobrunz, Rosanne Kubicek, Doreen Best, Ed Golda, Tom Ninnerman, Kevin Horrigan.  Gerane worked hard to make a difference in people’s lives and she was fortunate enough to work with people that positively impacted hers.

Gerane had a great appreciation for music, collecting art and reading.  Her vast book collection was put to good use when she generously donated over 400 books to the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College.  The books covered many subjects, including Native American culinary.

An essential part of Gerane’s adult life was her 32 year commitment as a sister of Saint Francis, Rochester, MN.

She is survived by her sister, Grace Wisdom of Hayward; her nieces and nephews, Michael Joseph Wisdom, John Joseph Wisdom, Peter Joseph Wisdom, Paul Joseph Wisdom, Stephen Joseph Wisdom, Angela Marie Stastny, Patrick Michael Theisen, Mary Patricia Miles and Anne C. Boucher.

In addition to her parents, Gerane is preceded in death by her sister, Maureen Theisen; her nieces, Eileen Theisen Schmidt, Julie Wisdom Nelson; and her brother-in-law, George Wisdom.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hayward where visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of Mass.  Interment will be held privately in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Elgin, IL.

For additional information, please contact the Hayward Funeral Home at 715-634-2609 or leave your condolences for the family online at www.bratley-nelsonchapels.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gerane Therese Dougherty, please visit our floral store.